Pressing machine



Oct. 13,1925. w 1,5 56,6-25

G. O. POMEROY v PRESSING MACHINE Filed. Dec; 18.. 1924' 2 'she ejps-sheet 1 canoe/14 601 al bi/nu,

' 1,556,625, G. o. POMEROY PRESS IN,G MACHINE Oct 13, 1925.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18. 1924 awuemtoz ment.

Patented Oct. 13; 1925.

"GEORGE O. roumor, OI LAIIWOOD, OHIO.

PMG KLCHDIE.

Application ma December 10,1924. win He. 73am.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ITGnoaon O. Pommor, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lakewood, count of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, have invente certain new and useful Im rovements in Pressing Machines, of whlch the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pressin apparatus of the type commonly employe in tailoring and cleaning establishments for the purpose of pressinggarments.

In pressing apparatus of the type re-' ferred to, it is customary to force steam through the garment during the pressing operation and, in order to remove the surplus moisture and to keep the pressing members in a fairly dry condition, such apparatus is also usually provided with suction means which'the operator brings into action, manually, upon the completion of thepressing operation and prior to removing the gar- It is-one of the ob'ectsof the invention to provide automatical y operated means for applying the suction, in properly timed relation to the operation of the pressing members so as to positively insure the removal of the surplus moisture from the garment and to keep the pressing members in a fairly dry condition without attention from the operator. Another ob'ect of the invention is to provide a device, or the purpose specified, that will operate automatically and without any attention on the part of the operator, to maintain the suction for a predetermined length of time and then automatically shut ofi' the suction.

Other objects of the invention and the features of novelty will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an end'elevation of a pressing machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of a modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2- Fi 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3 and showingi t e same parts in a diifcrent relation; an

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of fieferring to the drawings, 10 indicates the base or frame of a common form of pressing machlne. There is a table 11, on

the frame 10 and, above this table, there is supported astationary pressing buck which comprisesa hollow frame 12 that is covered with a suitable fabric 13. Above the buck there is a pressing head comprisin a hollow frame 14 that is covered by a suita le fabric 15. The frame 14 is -carriedby a suitable arm 16 that is plvotally supported at 17 on upright brackets 18, on the frame 10. The

frame 14 carries an operating handle 19, and a steam valve 20, that may be actuated by a handle 21 to supply steam to the interior of the frame 14, steam being supplied to the machine by a pipe 22, which communicates with the pressing head by a pipe 23. Steam is alsosupplied to the frame 12 of the buck, by a glpe 24 having a valve 25 therein which may e operated by a. lever 26, arranged beneath the table 11. The arm 16 has a rearward extension 27,-'carrying' a counter weight 28. A link 29 has a pivotal connection, at 30, with the extension 27, and at 31 has a pivotal connection with the upper end of the lever 32,, the latter being supported at its lower end on the shaft 33 that is carried by a bracket 34, on the frame 10.

An operating foot lever or treadle .35 is pivoted on the shaft 33 and 50 positioned as to be conveniently actuated by the operator,"

when standing at the front of the machine. A pair of tog le links 36 and 37 are pivotally connected together at 38, and one of these links, preferably 36, is connected with the treadle 35 by a link 39. The forward ,end

of the link 36 is pivoted at 40 to a lug'41fo'n.

the frame 10 and the rearward end of the link 37 is pivotally connected, at 42, to the lever 32. A tension spring 43 has one end connected, at 44, with the lever 32 and the other end connected to a stationary part of 'arm 16 and forcin the pressing head against the buck with su cient pressure to press the garment, which is placed on the buck prior to closing these pressin members together. The lever32 is actuate by the toggle links 36 and 37 and the latter are actuated by depressing the treadle 35. The spring 43 returns the parts, just referred to, to the position indicated in Figure 1, when the operator removes his foot from the treadle 35.

The apparatus so far described is well known and is not, per se, my invention.

LII

Who the pressing members are closed together on the arment, the operator, by moving either or 0th of the levers 21 and 26 admits steam to the ressing members and this steam is forced through the fabric covers 13 and 15 and penetrates the garment so as to aid in the smoothing and shaping thereof. When the pressing members are opened, the garment may be removed from the buck but, since it contains considerable surplus moisture, that is left from the steaming operation, it is desirableto remove this surplus moisture before removing the garment from the buck, because the garment is readily susceptible to wrinkling and losing its shape when in a moist condition. In order toremove the surplus moisture from the garment before the latter is removed from the buck, I connectavith the frame 12, of the buck, a suction pipe 45, which communicates with the interior of the frame 12 and with any suitable suctioncreating means. There is a valve 46, in the pipe 45, for controlling the application of suction to the buck, this valve being of ordinary construction as shown in detail in Fig. 4. The valve stem or rod 47 has pivotally connected therewith, at 48, another rod 49 onwhich there are two coil springs 50 and 51, an arm 52 being arranged between the op osed ends of these springs and the other en s of the springs engaging with the abutments 53 and 54 on the rod 49, the abutment'54 being adjustable by means of the nut 55 to var the tension of the springs 50 and 51. T e arm 52 is carried by the link 39, being rigidly secured thereto, so that the up and down movements of this link, due to the actuation of the treadle 35, are transmitted to the arm 52, t

In the operation of the machine the valve 46 is normally open when the treadle 35 is in the up position shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the treadle 35 is depressed, thearm 52, acting through the spring 51, draws down the rod 49 and closes the valve 46, the spring 51'accommodating any necessary downward movement of the treadle 35 after the valve has reached its seat. In a similar manner the spring 50 accommodates any upward,

movement of the treadle 35 after the valve reaches its fully open position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the application of suction to the buck is automaticall controlled by the movements of the treadlii or, in other words, in accordance with the openin and closing of the pressing members, so t at when the pressing members are open the suction is on and when the pressing members are closed the suction is off.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3, 4'and 5 is for the purpose of automatically closing the valve 46, after it has been open for a predetermiged length of time, so as to definitely regulate the time during which the suction is applied to the buck. In this apparatus there is a cylinder 56, having a removable head 57, the cylinder having secured thereon a rod 59 with which the arm 52 cooperates. A spring 60 is arranged between the arm a spring 61 is arranged between the arm 52 and the abutment 62 that is secured to the lower end of the rod 59. The springs 60 and 61 are similar in function to the springs 50 and 51 and provide a yieldable connection between the arm 52 and the cylinder 56 that will accommodate the necessary movements of the treadle 35. There is a piston 63 in the cylinder 56 and the piston rod 64 extends through the stufling-box 65, in the head 57, and is pivotally connected, at 66, with the valve rod 47. A compression spring 67 is arranged in the cylinder 56, between the piston 63 and the head 57 and exerts pressure on the piston to move the latter toward the lower end of the cylinder. 'the piston 63 has a series of o cnings or ports 68, e'xtendin therethroug in the axial direction, an an extension 6%), on the piston rod 64, carries a disk valve 70 adapted to close the ports 68. A nut 71 on the extension 69 serves as a means for limiting the downward movement of the disk 70 and also as a means for properly positioning the disk in relation to the lower face of the piston in order to have the disk function in the manner hereinafter described.

There is a by-pass port 72in the wall of the cylinder which communicates with the interior of the latter above and below the limits of movement of the piston 63. -The by-pass 72 is controlled by a valve 73, which'may be similar to an ordinary plug valve, the stem 74 of which carries the operating handle 75. A more restricted by-pass 76 is arranged in the wall of the cylinder 56, around the valve 73, the ends of this by-pass communicating with the by-pass 72 on opposite sides of the valve 73. The by-pass 76 is controlled by a valve 77, the stem of which carries the operating handle 78 by means of which the valve may be adjusted to regulate a flow of fluid through the by-pass 76.

In the operation of the apparatus just described the movements of the arm 52 are the same as in the apparatus illustrated in Figs 1 and 2. The valve 46 is normally closed and when the treadle 35 is in the up position the relation of the piston 63 and cylinder 56 will be substantially as shown in Fig. 4, the valve 70 being 1n the open position. The cylinder is filled with a fluid, such as oil, to about the level of the upper endof the by-pass 72, and the valve 73 is closed, the valve 77 being open sutficiently to permit the fluid to flow through the bypass 76 at the desired rate. If the treadle is 52 and the cylinder 56 and wardly,

now depressed to close the pressing members the arm 52 wii the spring 61 taking up any difference in the extent of, movement of the treadle and cylinder, and, the valve 46 being closed-the piston 63 will remain stationary.

- The downward movement of the cylinder of the treadle 35, t

will cause the oil to flow through the ports 68 since the valve 70 is in the open position. The sprin 67 is thus compressed and, at the end 0 the downward movement of the c linder, the parts will be in substantially t e relation s own in Fig. 3, the valve 46 still remaining closed. Upon the completion ofv the pressing o oration and the release e latter will be returned b the spring 43. On this return movement,

I t e arm 52 will lift the c linder '56 and,

the inertia of the fluid in t e c linder will cause the piston to move upwar l with'the cylinder and open the valve 46, t ereby applying the suction to the buck.

The downward (pressure of the spring 67 on the iston, an the upward pressure 0% the s ring 67, as well as sprin 60,- on the cylin er, tend to force the fluid upwardly these pipe connecte rough the ports 68 and this movement of the fluid carries the valve 70 against the lower ,face of the piston, closing the ports 68, and preventing further flow through orts. The pressure of the springs an 67 bein maintained, there will be pressure exerted on the fluid below the piston which will cause the: fluid to flow upwardly.

through the by-passes 72 and 76 to the upper side of the piston thereby ermitting the iston to descend slowly until the valve 46 is closed and the parts restored to the re-- lation shown inFigure 4; The speed of the closing movements of the valve 46 and, hence, length of time that the valve is open, may be regulated by the valves 73 and 77. It may he sometimes desirable to obtain a very rapid or immediate closing of the valve 46 and this is accomplished by the operator opening the valve 73 by means of the lever 75. When the valve 46 is closed, as thus described, the movement of the piston will be arrested and the valve will open, since the fluid pressure on' opposite sides of the valve will be equalized.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of ressing members, actuatin means there or, a suction with one of said members, a'valve in said pipe, and operating means for said valve actuated by the first-mentioned means to close said valve when said' the combination of a. pair of pressing mem- I draw the cylinder 56 down bers, actuating means therefor, includingi an operatin lever, a suction pipe connecte with one 0 said members, a valve in said pipe and operating means for. said valve yieldingly connected with said lever and wherebysaid valve isclosed when said lever is actuated to close said members and opened when said members are opened.

3. In "apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of pressin members, actuating means therefor, inclu ing an operating lever, a. suction plpe connected with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, an operating rod for said valve having spaced 1 abutments thereon, an arm slidable on said rod between said abutments and 4. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a pair of ressing members, actuatin pipe connecte with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, and operatin means for said valve automatically actuate by the first-mentioned means to close said valve when said members are closed and to open the same when said members are opened, and said operating means including a device for automatically closing said valve independently of the first-mentioned means.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of pressing members, actuating means therefor, a suction pipe connected with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, an actuating rod for said valve, and means for connecting said rod with said actuating meanscomprising, a cylinder with a iston therein one being connected with said rod and the other with said actuating means, said cylinder containing a fluid, a plurality of means for by-passing said fluid from one side of said piston to the other, one of said by-passing means being being relatively restricted so as to retard.

the-movement of the piston in the opposite direction, and spring means for moving said piston in said opposite direction to close said valve.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combinatlon of a pair of pressing members, actuating means therefor, a suction pipe connected with oneof said members, a valve in said pipe, an actuating rod for said valve, and means for connecting said rod with said actuating means comprising, acylinder with a iston therein one being connected with said rod and the other with said actuating means, said cylinder containing fluid,-a plumeans there or, a suction rality of means for by-passing said fluid tively restricted so as to retard the movement of the piston in the opposite direction, sprin means for moving said piston in said opposite direction to close said valve, and means for controlling the rate of flow of the fluid through the lastmentioned by-passira; means to regulate the time of closing of sa id valve.

7 In apparatus of the class described. the combination of a pair of pressing members, actuating means therefor, a suction pipe connected with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, an actuatin rod for said valve, and means for connecting said rod with said actuating means comprising, a cylinder with a piston therein one being connected with said rod and the other with said actuating means, said cylinder containing a fluid, a

plurality of means for by-passing said fluid from one side of said piston to the other, one of said by-passing means being of sufficient size to permit a relatively free flow of the fluid without substantially retarding the movement of the iston in one direction, the other of said by-passing means being relatively restricted so as to retard the movement of the piston in the opposite direction, spring means for moving said piston in said opposite direction to close said valve, and means for controlling the rate of flow of the fluid through the last-mentioned by-passing means to regulate the time of closing of said valve, and additional manually-controlled by-passing means for said fluid operable to obtain a relatively quick-closing of saikl valve.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a'pair of pressing members actuating means t erefor, a pipe connected with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, an actuating rod for said valve, and means for connecting said rod with said actuating means, including telescopically associated elements that are relatively movable to permit said actuating means to close said members when said valve is closed and with out moving the valve and to open said members and simultaneously open said valve, and means for automatically closin' said valve in timed relation to the opening t iereof by said actuating means.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a air of pressing members, actuating means t erefor, a pipe connected with one of said members, a valve in said pipe, an actuating rod for said valve, and means for connecting said rod with said actuating means including a cylinder having a piston therein one of which is connected with said rod and the other of which is flexibly connected with said actuating means, said cylinder containing a fluid and said piston having a valve-controlled passage therein whereby said fluid may freely flow through said piston in one direction and is prevented from flowing therethrough in the opposite direction, said cylinder having a by-pass for said fluid from one side of said piston to the other, and spring means for producin a relative movement of said cylmder an piston to force said fluid through said by-pass.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE o. PoMnRoY. 

